Bangor - Liverpool: Merseyrail strikes

[Phil from Mon]

Hi guys,
Would a Bangor - Liverpool Off Peak return be valid via Crewe and Runcorn in the event of Merseyrail industrial action, or indeed normally?
Thanks

 

[Quakkerillo]

Under normal circumstances, only map CH is available for this route, which has mapped routes from Crewe and Liverpool to Chester and onwards to North Wales. There is no connection between Crewe and Liverpool, so only travelling via Merseyrail is allowed.

What happens during the strike isn't yet announced, but if you hold a ticket bought pre-strike announcement (and maybe also pre-detail announcement), I'd assume train staff wouldn't make too much of a fuss about travelling via Crewe, especially if you try and find the train guard upon/before boarding and explain them beforehand why you're doing so.

 

[gray1404]

via Crewe is reasonable in the absence of any direct service from Liverpool to Chester in my opinion. I would personally do that.

 

[Phil from Mon]

Thanks both

Hopefully will not need to do this, but if I do I'll check with the guard (and get the ticket endorsed)

 

[gray1404]

There is no assurance that they give an endorsement on the ticket.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

or via Warrington. Maybe easier if you can get one of the few direct Manchester's from Bangor.

Again , assuming ticket acceptance on reasonable routes.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Notably ticket acceptance is not mandatory for strikes. During the Silverlink strikes some years ago, VTWC made it very clear that they would not under any circumstances be accepting any tickets that would not otherwise be valid on their services.

 

[Merseysider]

I was under the impression that CSL2 incidents mandate ticket acceptance nowadays

 

[Bletchleyite]

I was under the impression that CSL2 incidents mandate ticket acceptance nowadays

I don't think a strike counts as disruption in that sense, it is a planned and publicised operation of no/a reduced service, like engineering work.

 

[gray1404]

I honestly don't think you will have any problems having your ticket accepted between Liverpool and Crewe. Virgin don't tend to check tickets until after Stafford and I've found the London Midland guards to be very reasonable.

 

[Phil from Mon]

Thanks again guys. Fingers crossed it won't be a problem anyway, but useful to have the information.

 

[gray1404]

Thanks again guys. Fingers crossed it won't be a problem anyway, but useful to have the information.

I personally would get on the train that suits my itinerary best. I would be ready to give an explanation as to why you are travelling via Warrington or Crewe. I think your explanation is very reasonable that you are going to the nearest station from Liverpool to pick up a direct Bangor service, because of the strike action. There is a chance your ticket will be just accepted to be honest. The guards on that route will know that Merseyrail will be on strike. Of course you cannot be sure of this but a simple explanation I would hope would be enough.

I do think it is a poor show on Merseyrail with their lack of ticket acceptance on other operators when their strike are on and lack of provision of rail replacement buses onward from Hooton and acceptance of rail tickets on local buses..

 

[gray1404]

I was under the impression that CSL2 incidents mandate ticket acceptance nowadays

I would like to think so too.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They do, but I don't believe a strike is such an incident, it's a planned changed service notified in advance.

 

[Statto]

If you don't mind paying extra you might be better getting off at Chester & catch the Stagecoach X8 bus direct to Liverpool, which stops opposite Chester station every 30 minutes. http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/trav...X8 Liverpool - Chester (from 5 June 2017).pdf

 

[gray1404]

I'm going to have a chance it on the Friday of the strike day getting from Waterloo to Formby. My only option is to get the last 47 bus back. Hopefully at around 22.30 it will a. Run and b. Not be too busy and I'll be able to board.